MEFF #41 – SZCZESNY HAWKES 4 – 4 BUBBA’S PINK SH@FT:
A tense MEFF ended with honours even as Bubba’s Pink Shaft, led by Phil Parrot, threw away a three goal lead to gift Aidan’sSzczesny Hawkes a record-breaking seventh game unbeaten.
The first half was seriously lacking in chances, and Patto and Rowan had nothing to do in goal for the first 20 minutes as long balls went astray and possession was shared in the centre. Neil replaced Patto in goal for the remainder of the half, but it was only Rowan that really had anything to do as the Shafts began to create chances, mainly from long balls towards Spence or Patto up front, but Rowan was up to the challenge, smothering a number of shots. The game slowly opened up in the second half and for the first 10 minutes the Shafts continued their ascent and dominated possession with Phil P, Neil and Luke linking well, scything open the Hawkes defence with some lovely moves, but once again Rowan produced some excellent saves to keep the score respectable, while Patto came close with a long distance screamer and Daz and Kieran marshalled the defence well. The floodgates eventually opened towards the end of the game as legs began to tire, and although the Shafts initially took a three goal lead after further good work in attack, an inspired final 20 minutes from a classy Crozier (with support from Aidan,Brett, Griffin, Phil and Griffiths) saw belief return to the Hawkes team, who eventually battled back to equalise.
0-1: Spence(Patto’s long clearance from the back was taken down well by Spence and laid off to Phil P, who saw his shot well saved by Rowan, but Spence picked up the rebound and swivelled home a low finish into the bottom left corner)
Half Time
0-2: Patto(Great hassling on Phil G by Daz ended with the ball being poked to Patto who was sent through clear on Rowan, and finished comfortably under the despairing dive)
0-3: Neil(Patto spread the ball wide to Neil on the right wing, who played a rapid one-two with Spence which ended with his thumping shot going in off the right post)
1-3: Crozier(A weighted pass from Aidan released Crozer who wriggled through the defence and poked a great finish beyond Phil P in goal)
2-3: Crozier(Aidan found Crozier with a simple pass, and his unchallenged run past several defenders ended with an excellent finish)
2-4: Patto(Kieran’s quick pass out from defence found Patto, who took on several defenders with a diagonal run before finishing with the outside of the boot across Rowan into the bottom right corner)
3-4: Griffin(Brett’s cross from the right found Griffin in the area, and although his first-time shot hit the bar and then bounced off the line, Griff was able to follow in with a header to beat the off-balance Luke to the ball)
4-4: Crozier – HAT TRICK (Another accurate pass from Brett found Crozier on the left wing, and once again he beat several markers before finishing well beyond the keeper to level the scores)
Men of the Match were Crozier, “for being a pain and just generally being classy on the ball” and Patto, as “he caused problems all evening and scored two good goals!”
